Bucks for Brenda’s Battle Benefit planned

Brenda Emer is pictured with her children, Allison and John, at their James City home, along with the family dog, Jake. A benefit will be held on Saturday, April 20 at the Kane Elks Club. Emer was supposed to start a trial study in Pittsburgh, but doctors found a brain tumor, delaying her participation. Photo by Amy Geer.

JAMES CITY – Brenda Emer was first diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 1997. Her son John was three years old, her daughter Allison only two. While still getting a handle on her own illness, Brenda found out that John had Type I Diabetes.
More than 15 years and eleven cancer diagnoses later, Brenda is still fighting. Those of us who are lucky enough to call her a friend marvel in her strength and lack of self-pity.